Posts by AdaMakawee

17

Is mental illness actualy messages from god?

by highdose in

jw
friends

i don't mean depression or somthing of that nature.

i used to work with patients who suffered from severe schiofrenia etc, they would claim that they were god, son of god, gods mesanger etc.. of course they were highly medicated and put in a place where they would be taken care of.

it was a rough section of the hospital to be put, in fact the chances of making it through a shift with uniform undamaged were silm and there was porters ( guards) behind each locked door.

AdaMakawee

That's interesting, Satanus, not one of the Shamans I know are schizophrenic. Not to mention the fact that modern paganism is alive and well, and many modern people do go to Shamans for help in healing. It may not be your cup of tea, but you can't discount it as mental illness. Paganism is one of the most rapidly growing religions (classing it all as a single group). Also, these many many pagans in the world do not worship in churches, yet worship they do. I realize that a lot of people think pagans are flakes, thats why so many are in the closet. Many professionals of all types are pagan. Not just a religion for hippies.

I will admit we do seem to be a magnet for some people who are way out there. Unfortunately those are the ones people see and thereby a stereotype is made.

Ada

4

The futility of buying things for your cat or dog

by Elsewhere in

jw
friends

i have two cats and from time to time i feel like buying them a toy or a scratching post.. as all pet owners know, any "toy" you buy for your pet will be ignored while the pet will spend weeks playing with the box the toy came in.

recently i've been having trouble getting my two cats to use their scratching post (instead of the couch and carpet) and to sleep on a "kitty bed" instead of my favorite chair.

both ventures have been utter failures until tonight.. by chance i happened to buy a cheap little cloth mat to put at my back door so i don't track in mud after working in the back yard.

AdaMakawee

I heard someone say that cats hate citrus and that you can get a citrus spray at the pet shop to spray on the furniture that will make them ignore it. Wish I knew it really worked, I'd buy a case of it.

Ada

76

I am gay and Jehovah Witness

by yosisoy in

jw
friends

hello, i am jehovah witness and gay.

i am from puerto rico.

i would like to know how hard is to leave the organization.

AdaMakawee

The A Common Bond website is an excellent start. You'll find lots of help there from others exiting who are also gay. Take care.

Ada

55

Do You Miss The Witnesses Even A Little Bit?

by minimus in

jw
friends

a smidge??

?.

AdaMakawee

not only no but HELL no.

35

what is the best state in the usa to live in / visit?

by highdose in

jw
friends

am thinking of doing some globe trotting soon, would like some insider info/ opinions please.

AdaMakawee

Awen, how long ago did you leave? I live in Portland now. Haven't noticed that everything closes early, I've been downtown much later than that lots of times, in fact the music scene here goes all hours. Love it in Oregon and Washington and BC, northern California is great too but I think once you get south of San Francisco its not so much about scenery and more about urban living or suburban living.

West coast of the US and Canada is amazing.

Ada

35

Ever been the victim of gossip from JW's?

by highdose in

i was many times, the final bout was what drove me out of the borg altogether..... .

AdaMakawee

I don't think I'll apologize for being a victim, it got me out. And though a healthy person or emotionally stable person wouldn't let themselves be a victim, not everyone was able to realize that was even a possibility. Being raised in an abusive household where you were constantly verbally and physically abused, then marrying a verbally abusive spouse, I was told for my first thirty some years that I was pretty much lower than snail slime. The lessons in self esteem and self worth came later, as I learned that I have a right to be heard, I have talents, I am worthy as an individual. The gossiping came during some of the lowest, most vulnerable parts of my life. And I ended the marriage when I ended my tenure with the JWs. Its been a life long journey ever since to understand or try to, how to interact with others, how to find healthy relationships, etc.

Thankfully we are all survivors, one way or another.

Ada

35

Ever been the victim of gossip from JW's?

by highdose in

i was many times, the final bout was what drove me out of the borg altogether..... .

AdaMakawee

This was the last straw for me too. A snarky MS wife called me and ripped me a new one for something and while doing so, she said that the (too long ago, can't remember titles) Convention Overseer? had told her blah blah about me. Now I knew of him and had met him, but I didnt' know him. I guess that translates more likely to Mrs CO, but that distinction didn't matter because by then I had it figured out. JW's didn't have the love they claimed proved they were god's people. So as a parting shot I called one of the elders and told him exactly what she had done and said. I'll give him credit, he was decent about it, I think he really cared if I came back or not. His kids, however, were the first to shun my son, who had nothing to do with anything.

Gossip was rampant in every single congregation I was ever involved in. I never could figure out why they didn't deal with a gossiper as strongly as they did a smoker or other sin, after the warning continuing would show a pattern and unrepentance. It was just one more power trip.

One thing I will say, from a distance of almost 20 years away now, is that with the women being powerless, this is one way they could use some sort of power and be "better" than another. The power structure inside that organization was ripe for passive aggressive power by the women. I think its the only way some very intelligent women didn't go crazy. Unfortunate, unhealthy, but understandable.

Hope they can all get out as we did.

Ada

58

Cooks and their ingredients. Questions.

by compound complex in

hey there, cooks or chefs [outlaw]:.

i love to cook!

though alone, i decided long ago that i would not go the fast or packaged food route.

AdaMakawee

One thing that I recently learned about olive oil is that there is no labeling requirement for how MUCH olive oil it contains (in the United States). If it has ANY in it, its labeled as olive oil. I read about this because there was a push in my state to require at least a certain percentage before it can be labeled as olive oil. So I don' t know where it has to originate, though I have noticed that the "Mexican" olive oil does taste different from Spain's, and I don't remember buying an Italian. But just wanted to tell you, it's buyer beware.

I love to cook. I think that cooking is one of my art forms, and herbs and spices are my palette. Knowing how spices/herbs combine with each other and with foods and then experimenting with combinations is truly fascinating. I need to jump in the shower and get to work right now so I can't give any recipes, but I'll bookmark this for later.

Great thread.

Ada

13

What Drove Me Here

by KingDavidwasframed in

*disclaimer* this was posted on a 2 year old thread and a friend suggested i start a new thread with it to introduce myself.. .

i discovered this site by accident when i was actually looking for a site to date ex jw's (probably because i know that we could relate and if they were as repressed as me growing up, they would be as horny and kinky as i am if not more so - yumm!).

i also believe that he will take care of all things in his own way.

AdaMakawee

Welcome to the board.

Ada

8

I meet with my non-jw aunt today

by doublelife in

we meet for lunch and i told her i didn't want to be a jw anymore.

she already suspected that this was the reason i wanted to meet with her.

she was very supportive and even invited me to thanksgiving dinner.

AdaMakawee

As hard as this is, the lesson is, you will learn who your real family is and you will learn who your false family is. Real families stick with you through the tough times and support your decisions even if they don't agree with them. Real family will be there to pick you up when you fall and to listen when you hurt, and share the laughter with you when things are happy and going well. Your aunt is real family.

I lost my false family many years ago, I mourned them for a long time, but I found new parents, and new brothers and sisters that may not share my dna but share my heart. I know you will do the same.

Take care through these trying times, and be aware that this too will pass. You are incredibly brave.

Ada